Internship Description

About the Organization:
Private, bi-bilingual school of approximately 430 students, grades pre-school through high school. School has three separate school sites: pre-school, primary school, middle school/high school. It has an exchange program with the Oregon Episcopal School in Portland, Oregon. and Ashbrook Independent School in Corvallis, Oregon. The school has a chapel on-site for occasional religious ceremonies.

Local Activities:
The school is in the lovely colonial but modern city of  Guadalajara, the second largest city in  Mexico. Lots of cultural activities, handicrafts and sites to see. Near to Lake Chapala, and the quaint towns of Ajijic and Chapala

Job Description:

Interns will help teach English and will be supervised by the English Coordinator. English program at the primary school focuses on developing strong academic and communication skills and abilities. Classes are active and task based. Interns are regarded as professionals and are expected to maintain daily work schedule, do necessary classroom preparation, and participate in all school tasks and activities. They may also participate in school field trips and help with sports. Must be flexible and willing to substitute teach. Interns may also teach about U.S. culture to students who will be coming to Oregon on the exchange program. The school director and English coordinators will determine specific duties and assignments appropriate to intern’s training, interests and school needs.  The high school has a guitar orchestra and a theatre for drama and musical performances.

School year 2008-09: Opportunity for a PAID internship to teach English at elementary school or social science at middle school or high school level. Internship dates early August 2008- early July 2009. Intern needs to bring some teaching and classroom experience and completion of 2 years of college level Spanish. Application deadline April 15, 2008. Contact Monya Lemery for more information.

Additional Information:

This is a cultural immersion program with opportunities to participate in everyday Mexican life and culture.

Dress code is casual – Men:  slacks (navy blue, black or khaki), leather shoes ( no sandals), button shirts or polo shirts, no tattoos or body piercings. Women: slacks or skirts (navy blue, black or khaki), blouses, polo shirts, no sandals, no tattoos or body piercings. Intern may be issued a uniform polo shirt. For evenings and weekends, interns should bring jeans. In the winter, a jacket is necessary, as it does get cold.

Website: http://www.lapaz.edu.mx/
To read previous interns' reports: Lesley, Kristine or Emily.
and another final report.

Start Date:
Fall: middle August to 3rd week of December
Winter: early January to middle or end of March
Spring: April (depends on Easter vacation) to first week of July

Duration:
3-10 months

Number of Positions:
3 per term

Intern Qualifications

Academic Background:
Open to most undergraduate/graduate majors; Education, ESL majors preferred.

Skills/Experience:
Speak English as a native speaker. Experience in working with children and classroom management skills or ability. Some knowledge and/or experience in teaching ESL is recommended. Study of English grammar prior to internship is recommended. Interns need some preparation in teaching and a strong interest in education. They should be open-minded and adaptable.

Language Requirement:
Proficiency in Spanish equal to two years of college level.

Other Requirements:

Interns must be enthusiastic, and a team player. Experience working with groups of children in or out of the classroom. Classroom management skills or ability recommende. The preschool prefers female teachers. Along with your application, please submit an electronic photo of yourself to the Mexico Regional Director, Monya Lemery.

Internship Costs

Program Fees:
The program fee includes tuition, internship site development and placement, pre-departure orientation, international health insurance, internship monitoring and follow-up.
Click here for application information, including the program fee, for your school.
Note: The program fee does not include airfare, housing, living expenses or any other estimated costs noted below.
The total cost for this internship (including airfare and living expenses) is less than the estimated costs for studying and living at your home university. Estimated total budget for 3-4 month program is between $4600-$5200.

Note:
Any financial or in-kind support provided by the host organization is explicitly indicated.

Compensation:

For interns committing to 1-2 terms, free room and board is provided with a homestay family.

For an intern willing to commit for the entire academic year teaching at the primary school (August 2008-beg. July 2009), Colegio La Paz willl offer a PAID internship of $9000 pesos per month (approx. $820 USD). The intern will need to pay for room and board of approximately $4000 pesos per month. This salary is enough to live on in Guadalajara. As well, the school will arrange the work visa.

Accommodation:
Free room and board provided with families of the students or teachers, arranged by school.

International Travel:
Approx. $500-$700. Intern will be picked up at the Guadalajara airport.

Cost of Living:
$600 suggested for 12  weeks for incidentals, personal expenses, local transportation, occasional meals out, and a modest amount of local recreation and some travel. Students who plan to go out frequently in the evenings or travel extensively on weekends, should budget additional funds for these activities.

Budget Note:
Applicants should use these estimates for preliminary budgeting purposes.
IE3 will issue an official budget after acceptance by the host organization.

Application Information

Academic Credit:
Up to 12 credits available as per arrangement with supervising department.

Application Materials:
IE3 is a program of the Oregon University System.
Students from participating partner universities are also eligible to apply.
Click here for application information and select your school from the list.

Created/Revised:4/15/08